Post details: DISCERNMENT OF TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS/TEACHERS/PREACHERS

01/31/07

Permalink 11:17:12 pm, Categories: By Timothy
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DISCERNMENT OF TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS/TEACHERS/PREACHERS

IMPORTANT NOTE: This study also applys to true and false teachers, and *organizations. (*A church/ministry can also be a true or false prophet/teacher depending on what their doctrine says and how they go about preaching that doctrine.)

A. A true prophet leads people to the Bible and to Jesus. 
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:37
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. ~ Acts 26:19-20
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every man’s work shall be made manifest. For the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

A false prophet speaks lies, leading people away from the Bible and Jesus.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make mechandise of you, whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. ~ 2 Peter 2:1-3
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. ~ Acts 13:6, 8
For the time will come when they will not endure sound  doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves  teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4
One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. ~ Titus 10-14

B. A true prophet confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.
Hereby ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. ~ 1 John 4:2

A false prophet brings in damnable heresies, denying the Lord who bought them, and does not proclaim that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  ~ 2 Peter 2:1
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. And this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. ~ 1 John 4:3

C. A true prophet seeks to glorify God.
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory. But he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. ~ John 7:18

A false prophet seeks glory for himself.
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. ~ Philippians 2:21
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory... ~ John 7:18

D. A true prophet speaks with God’s wisdom given him by the power of God’s spirit.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. ~ 2 Peter 1:21  
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but He revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. ~ Amos 3:7

A false prophet prophesies by his own wisdom or interpretation of Scripture.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. ~ 2 Peter 1:20-21

E. A true prophet gives warning, edification1, exhortation2, comfort and correction, as directed by God.
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. ~ Ezekiel 33:7
Wherefore will ye plead with Me? Ye all have transgressed against Me, saith the Lord. In vain have I smitten your children, they received no correction. Your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. ~ Jeremiah 2: 29-30
Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have even sent unto you all My servants, the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them...But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction. Truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. ~ Jeremiah 7:25, 28
The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. ~ Jeremiah 28:8
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself, but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpet, that the church may receive edifying. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:3-5

1 edify: to instruct and improve especially by good example; benefit morally or spiritually
2 exhortation: earnesty spoken words of urgent advice or warning

A false prophet speaks ONLY of peace and prosperity. 
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you. They make you vain. They  speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise Me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. ~ Jeremiah 23:16-17

F. A true prophet will show good fruit and will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. ~ Matthew 7:16-20
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

False prophets will show evil fruit and will exhibit the corrupt fruit of the devil.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. ~ Matthew 7:16-20
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. ~ Titus 10-14

G. A true prophet rightly divides the Word of God. 
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness. ~ 2 Timothy 2:15-16

A false prophet shares opinions and distorts Scripture. 
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest1, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. ~ 2 Peter 3:16

1 wrest - to distort; to divert to an improper or unnatural use

H. A true prophet puts his trust in God.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. ~ Jeremiah 17:7
Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. ~ Isaiah 26:4
For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. ~ Psalm 21:7

A false prophet puts his trust in men.
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 17:5

I. A true prophet speaks the true prophecies.
And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come), then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. ~ Ezekiel 33:33

A false prophet speaks lies and gives false prophecies.
Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the [prophet1], Hear now, Hananiah, the Lord hath not sent thee, but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. ~ Jeremiah 28:15
Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie...~ Jeremiah 29:31

Note: 1prophet - In the Bible, both false and true prophets are called “prophets”. One must read the context of the chapter to understand whether the “prophet” is true or false, such as in Hananiah’s case. Hananiah was a false prophet, but Jeremiah was a true prophet, yet both were called “prophets”.

J. A true prophet does not accept money for God’s words.
Throughout the entire Bible, none of God’s prophets ever required money to deliver God’s messages. The entire Bible is a testament of this.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. ~ 1 Timothy 6:6
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ~ 1 Timothy 6:8

A false prophet charges, or expects payment, for his words.
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil-surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness. From such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.~ 1 Timothy 6:3-10
No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon1. ~ Luke 16:13
And [through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you2], whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. ~ 2 Peter 2:3
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, a prophet of their own... ~ Titus 10-12

1 mammon: an often personified devotion to material possessions; also wealth
2 [in their greed, these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up] - NIV
3 lucre: monetary gain; profit; also money

K. A true prophet is socially unacceptable to the proud and does not conform to people’s expectations. 
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

A false prophet is socially acceptable and conforms to people’s expectations. 
For the time will come when they will not endure sound  doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves  teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears  from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4

L. True prophets are generally disliked. 
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. ~ Matthew 5:12
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. ~ James 5:10

False prophets are generally liked. 
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets. ~ Luke 6:26

M. There are few true prophets.
Then said Elijah to the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are found four hundred and fifty men. ~ 1 Kings 18:22

Note: We are able to discern from 1 Kings 18:22 that while there were many false prophets of Baal and other gods, there was only one prophet, Elijah, of the True God. In the New Testament, we are shown that there will be more prophets as compared to the Old Testament...”To another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues” [1 Corinthians 12:9-10]. Even though there are more true prophets spoken of in the New Testament, the number will be less than the number of false prophets (see the verses below - the word “many”).

There are many false prophets.
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount  Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the  prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table. ~ 1 Kings 18:19
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. ~ Matthew 24:11
Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. ~ Matthew 7:22-23
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ~ 1 John 4:1

N. The prophecies of a true prophet will come to pass.
And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come), then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. ~ Ezekiel 33:33

The predictions of a false prophet will not come to pass.
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously. Thou shalt not be afraid of him. ~ Deuteronomy 18:22

Beloved, believe not every spirit,
but try the spirits whether they are of God,
because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 
~ 1 John 4:1

Jesus warns us that in these last times, there would be “wolves” in “sheep’s” clothing (Matthew 7:15). Please remember, when testing the prophets or anyone who claims to be a servant of the Most High God, to use all Scripture, but especially the verses we’ve just noted. We cannot take only one verse of the Bible and judge whether or not someone is true or false. We must look at all the evidence and then decide for ourselves...Scripture is the rod by which we shall measure everything, including the validity of those who claim to be God’s servants.

[* All noted definitions from Encyclopedia Britannica CD-Rom 2003]

Comments:

Comment from: Len [Visitor] · http://www.myspace.com/lenbenherehear
A great over-view of how to discern the real from the unreal, Timothy. Here is something that I posted on my myspace blog a few months back: it is helpful also as a guideline on discerning this vital area of REALITY:

Picture of a Prophet
By Leonard Ravenhill


The prophet in his day is fully accepted of God and totally rejected by men.
Years back, Dr. Gregory Mantle was right when he said, "No man can be fully accepted until he is totally rejected." The prophet of the Lord is aware of both these experiences. They are (in a real sense) his "brand name."
The group, challenged by the prophet because they are smug and comfortably insulated from a perishing world in their warm but untested theology, is not likely to vote him "Man of the year" when he refers to them as habituates of the synagogue of satan!
The prophet comes to upset that which is the status quo. His work is to call into line those who are out of line! He is unpopular because he opposes the popular in morality and spirituality. In a day of faceless politicians and voiceless preachers, there is not a more urgent national need than that we cry to God for a prophet! The function of the prophet, as Austin-Sparks once said, "has almost always been that of recovery." [to RESTORE the work of
holiness and the very purposes of GOD] !

The prophet is God's detective seeking for a lost treasure.
The degree of his effectiveness is determined by his measure of unpopularity. Compromise is not known to him.

He has no price tags.
He is totally "otherworldly."
He is unquestionably controversial and (often appears to be) unpardonably hostile.
He marches to another drummer!
He breathes the rarefied air of inspiration.
He is a "seer" who comes to lead the blind.
He lives in the heights of God and comes into the valley
with a "thus saith the Lord."
He shares some of the foreknowledge of God and so is aware of impending judgment.
He lives in "splendid isolation."
He is forthright and outright, but he claims no special birthright.
His message is "repent, be reconciled to God... or else...!"
His truth brings torment to the fleshly mind, but his voice
is never void.
He is often the villain of today and the hero of tomorrow.
He is excommunicated while alive and exalted when dead!
He is dishonored with epithets when breathing and honored with epitaphs when dead.
He is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, but few "make the grade" in his class.
He is often friendless while living and famous when dead.
He is against the establishment in ministry; then he is established as a saint by posterity.
He eats daily the bread of affliction while he ministers, but he feeds the Bread of Life to those who listen.
He walks before men for days but has walked before God for years.
He is a scourge to the nation before he is scourged by the nation.
He announces, pronounces, and denounces!
He has a heart like a volcano and his words are as fire.
He talks to men about God.

He carries the lamp of truth amongst heretics while he is lampooned by men.
He faces God before he faces men, but he is self-effacing.
He hides with God in the secret place, but he has nothing to hide in the marketplace.
He is naturally sensitive but supernaturally spiritual.
He has passion, purpose and pugnacity.
He is ordained of God but disdained by men.

Our national need at this hour is not that the dollar recover its strength, or that we save face over the Watergate affair...or some other scandal, or that we find the answer to the ecology problem. But what we REALLY NEED IS a God-sent prophet!
I am bombarded with talk or letters about the coming shortages in our national life: bread, fuel, energy. I read between the lines from people not practiced in scaring folk. They feel that the "seven years of plenty" are over for us. The "seven years of famine" are ahead. But the greatest famine of all in this nation at this given moment is a FAMINE OF THE HEARING OF THE WORDS OF GOD (Amos 8:11).

Hundreds of millions have been spent on evangelism in the last 40-50 and more. Hundreds of gospel messages streak through the air over the nation every day. Crusades have been held; healing meetings have made a vital contribution. "Come-outers" have "come out" and settled, too, without a nation-shaking revival. Organizers we have. Skilled preachers abound. Multi-million dollar Christian organizations straddle the nation. BUT where, oh where, is the prophet? Where are the incandescent men fresh from the holy place? Where is the Moses to plead in fasting before the holiness of the Lord for our moldy morality, our political perfidy, and sour and sick spirituality?
GOD'S MEN ARE IN HIDING UNTIL THE DAY OF THEIR SHOWING FORTH. They will come. The prophet is violated during his ministry, but he is vindicated by history and by GOD.
There is a terrible vacuum in evangelical Christianity today. The missing person in our ranks is the prophet. The man with a terrible earnestness. The man totally otherworldly. The man rejected by other men, even other good men, because they consider him too austere, too severely committed, too "negative" and unsociable.
Let him be as plain as John the Baptist.
Let him for a season be a voice crying in the wilderness of modern theology and stagnant "churchianity."
Let him be as selfless as Paul the apostle.
Let him, too, say and live, "This ONE thing I do."
Let him reject ecclesiastical favors.
Let him be self-abasing, nonself-seeking, nonself-projecting, nonself- righteous, nonself-glorying, nonself-promoting.
Let him say nothing that will draw men to himself but only that which will move men to God.
Let him come daily from the throne room of a holy God, the place where he has received the order of the day.

Let him, under God, unstop the ears of the millions who are deaf through the clatter of shekels milked from this hour of material mesmerism and merchandising of the Gospel.
Let him cry with a voice this century has not heard because he has seen a vision no man in this century has seen. God send us this Moses or an Elijah to lead us from the wilderness of crass materialism, where the rattlesnakes of lust and coveteousness bite us and where supposed enlightened men, totally blind spiritually, lead us to an ever-nearing Armageddon.

God have mercy! Send us PROPHETS!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.ravenhill.org/prophet.htm
Permalink 02/01/07 @ 00:45
Comment from: Timothy [Member] · http://www.TrumpetCallofGodOnline.com
Thank you, Brother, for this lamentation and word spoken in Truth ("Picture of a Prophet" - your 1st comment above). The Lord has and will answer this prayer in a much greater way than people now
perceive...do to temporary church blindness and corrupted doctrine.
I know you believe I am a prophet. Though I prefer "servant", a prophet I am...I know Who I serve and Who speaks to me. I am, at present, a small voice for the Lord, a humble messenger.
This is but the time of the light breeze, a removal of the dust that has built up atop all things called "Christian". The storm is coming, and the Lord God shall indeed scourge the nations, but first He sends out His prophets, the witnesses in number 144,000. These are likened unto John the Baptist, who come in the spirit of Elijah; and Elijah and Moses shall also come at the time appointed, for they are the two lampstands who shout their proclamation before the God of the universe.

May I also repost "Picture of a Prophet" on Myspace?
Thanks again for sharing this inspired word.

Your brother in Christ's service and love,
Timothy
Permalink 02/06/07 @ 13:29
Comment from: Vint Hargrave [Visitor]
Hi Timothy,

The scriptures on this topic were excellent. I was encouraged by them. I always thought Jesus was the last prophet. I always thought his words were put in us and that they are truth and he is the word and the truth. If you speak his truth then we will know because the truth makes us free and we will be free indeed. Child of God is what he calls us who believe and if we are his and speak his word then we are prophecying through him. If we are talking about new ideas added to what he has said already I would question this as wrongheaded...
love in christ brother,
Vint
Permalink 02/08/07 @ 15:15
Comment from: Timothy [Member] · http://www.TrumpetCallofGodOnline.com
Amen, Vint.
Yes, there WERE a few true prophets noted in the NT after Jesus had ascended into Heaven. And Paul also said there would be prophets in the Church. Also in Revelation the 144,000 witnesses are also prophets as are the two lampstands, but these two we already know as Elijah and Moses.
The Lord Jesus and the apostles would not have given us these Scriptures for discernment of true AND false prophets if there were not to be true AND false prophets to examine and test. It would then have been a discernment of false prophets ONLY.

Thanks for the comment, Brother.
Blessings in Christ to you and yours.

Your Brother in Christ's service and love,
Timothy
Permalink 02/08/07 @ 15:34

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